Vince Young won't be handing the Packers' backup job to anyone. (AP Photo)

The Packers got a good look at their reserve quarterbacks after Rodgers made an opening-series cameo. That left incumbent No. 2 Graham Harrell to take the majority of the snaps against a brutal Seahawks first-team defense. Harrell's stint early in the second quarter to early in the third provided good reason why coach Mike McCarthy needed to bring in Young so late in the offseason.

Hampered by a non-existent running game, Harrell failed to a scoring drive in five chances. He was off and went 6-of-13 for a measly 49 yards, and the Packers showed little sign of life with him running the offense. While Harrell's performance led to familiar groans from the Lambeau Field faithful, Young looked a lot more capable of handling the role of high-profile understudy to the league's best quarterback.

Young came in and lit up Seattle's backup defense (6-of-7, 41 yards) on two third-quarter drives. But more important, the 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler showed he was most comfortable running McCarthy's challenging West Coast-tinged offense. There was even some of Young dazzle, the athleticism that got him drafted third overall in 2006.

Young rushed for 39 yards on his three scrambles, which looked even better on a night when the Packers' actual top running backs sputters. DuJuan Harris gained two yards on three carries before reinjuring his right knee. Rookie Eddie Lacy had eight carries for minus-5 yards.

As a passer, Young did everything he could without the Packers' best skill players around him. In addition to using his mobility, he got the ball out quickly to keep the offense moving, posting a 130.7 rating. In the case Rodgers would need to miss time during the regular season, Young would have a lot better options around him — James Jones, Jermichael Finley, a healthier Randall Cobb, a healthier Jordy Nelson.

It's also not like Harrell is a developmental quarterback whom the Packers can hope to turn into another Matt Flynn groomed behind Rodgers. At 28, Harrell is two years younger than Young, and far less seasoned, let alone accomplished.

Before Young failed to stick with the Buffalo Bills for the 2012 season, he was a passable backup for Michael Vick's Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. That was with Andy Reid; McCarthy is the better rhythm passing game maven, and unlike that Eagles team, the Packers operate much more efficiently with more supporting talent.

It seemed just a few months ago that Young was out of options after not playing a down last year. But many lost first-round, one-time starters — see the Seahawks' Brady Quinn — have found good second career opportunities as second-stringers.

Young couldn't have found a better place than with McCarthy and the Packers. They should realize, with him, they have found their best backup plan for Rodgers.